VACATION IDEAS

PHOTOS: Top Labor Day Escapes That Are TOTALLY Worth the Money

Looking for the ultimate long-weekend escape? Relax! Budget Travel has done all the homework. Whether you're craving one more trip to the beach or are searching for the perfect end-of-summer festival, getting away has never been quicker, easier—or more affordable.

Miami is the perfect place to party year-round, and Labor Day weekend is no exception.

(R. Gino Santa Maria/Dreamstime)

Take Miami's public bike sharing program, Decobike Miami Beach, for a spin, and rent a bike anywhere from 30-minutes to a full day. A 30-minute ride will cost you $4, while one-hour rentals are available for $6, two-hour rentals are $10, four-hour rentals are $18, and a one-day rental will cost just $24.

(Felix Mizioznikov/Dreamstime)

Stake out the perfect spot on any of Miami Beach's seven miles of sand. The best part: it's free.

(Courtesy of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority)

Chicago is home to a number of free art and music festivals on Labor Day weekend.

(Bagiuiani Constantin/Dreamstime)

The 36th annual Chicago Jazz Festival takes place this year from Aug. 28th to Aug. 31st at Millennium Park.

Check out Remix Chicago, (formerly known as Ravenswood Remix), a recycled art fair on Saturday and Sunday where artists showcase their original, hand-made art, clothing, jewelry, and crafts made from used or recycled goods.

Want to enjoy the great outdoors during your long weekend? Consider renting a kayak or canoe from the Thompson Boat Center for a totally different view of the city from the Potomac.

(Kippy Spilker/Dreamstime)

Enjoy live music with an impressive fireworks display over Lake Tahoe Sunday night starting at 8:30 p.m.

(Courtesy Amazing Imagery by Kurtis Rix)

On Saturday, Aug. 30th, you'll have the opportunity to board one of South Shore's two Mississippi paddlewheeler boats, the Tahoe Queen or the M.S. Dixie II, for the 21st annual Great Lake Tahoe Sternwheeler Race, a unique only-in-Tahoe experience.

Cheer runners on from the sidelines as they compete in the third annual Heavenly Mountain Run, racing from the California Base Lodge at 6,565-feet all the way up to the Tamarack Lodge at 9,150-feet.

(Courtesy Heavenly Mountain Resort)

Another notable weekend event is the 5th annual Sample the Sierra Festival on Aug. 31st from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., where you can sample fresh farm-to-table food and wine creations by local chefs and farmers.

(Courtesy Dan Thrift)

The calm before the storm: This year, more than 20 bands will take the stage in Virginia Beach for the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival, playing all kinds of music—rock and roll, jazz, blues, country, and R&B—by local, regional, and national bands.

(Mvogel/Dreamstime)

Those seeking a more active vacation can sign up for the Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half-Marathon, a race through the streets of the city on Sunday, Aug. 31st, that raises money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

(Courtesy of the Virginia Tourism Corporation)

Baseball lovers can watch the Daytona Cubs play ball on Aug. 29th, 30th, and 31st at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark starting at 7 p.m., where dogs are welcome and the kids will have a chance to run the bases—don't miss their fireworks show Saturday night.

(Courtesy Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau)

If you're traveling without kids, check out the Third Annual Main Street End of Summer Party & Rum Fest at Main Street Station, an event held on Aug. 31st featuring live entertainment on two stages and plenty of drink specials starting at 7 p.m.

(Courtesy Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Labor Day is more commonly referred to as Park City Miner's Day in this part of Utah—a tradition dating all the way back to 1898.

(Courtesy Vicki Gaebe)

Each year there's a celebration in honor of the area's rich mining heritage, complete with a community pancake breakfast, live music, races and games for the kids, the Funky 5K Fun Run, and the annual Miner's Day Parade down Historic Main Street.

(Courtesy Vicki Gaebe)

This is Historic Main Street in Park City, Utah, home of the Running of the Balls, an event held each year on Labor Day.

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